Anti-Aging Skincare That Actually Works: What to Use, in What Order

Anti-Aging Skincare That Actually Works: What to Use, in What Order

Most anti-aging advice is a shopping list. This isn't. Below are the steps that have real evidence behind them, in the order that matters, with an honest note on where supplements fit.

Step 1: Daily Sunscreen (the One That Matters Most)

If you only do one thing for aging skin, make it this. The American Academy of Dermatology names sun protection as the first way to prevent premature skin aging, and recommends a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day on any skin your clothes don't cover. That includes cloudy days and days spent mostly indoors near windows.

Everything else on this list works better when you protect it. Retinol makes skin more sun-sensitive, and vitamin C does its best work under sunscreen, not instead of it.

Step 2: Cleanse Gently

The AAD's advice here is simple: cleanse gently, without scrubbing. Harsh scrubbing irritates skin, and irritation shows up as redness and dullness, which reads as older, not younger.

A note on exfoliating: our Peppermint Coffee Body Scrub is made for the body (elbows, knees, legs, rough heels), not the face. Facial skin is thinner, and coffee grounds are too coarse for it. For face exfoliation, retinol in Step 4 does the job more gently.

Step 3: Vitamin C in the Morning

Vitamin C is one of the most studied antioxidants in skincare. A 2017 review in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology explains why it's worth a morning slot: sunscreen blocks only part of the free-radical damage UV causes, and topical vitamin C helps with the rest. It also plays a role in the skin's own collagen production.

Our Vitamin C Serum goes on after cleansing and before moisturizer and SPF. If your skin is new to vitamin C, start every other morning.

Step 4: Retinol at Night

Retinol is the over-the-counter form of vitamin A, and it's the ingredient with the longest track record for the look of fine lines and uneven texture. It works slowly, by speeding up how fast skin renews itself, so give it 8 to 12 weeks before you judge it.

Our Night Shift Retinol + Peptide serum pairs retinol with a peptide and calming bisabolol. Start two or three nights a week on dry skin, and build up as your skin allows. Some dryness or flaking in the first few weeks is normal. Stinging and burning are not, so stop if that happens. Skip retinol if you're pregnant or trying to be, and talk to your doctor first.

On nights you're not using retinol, our Niacinamide Serum is a gentler option for the look of pores and uneven tone.

Step 5: Moisturize, Every Day

A daily facial moisturizer is on the AAD's list too. Moisture plumps the outer layer of skin, so fine lines look softer right away, and it helps buffer retinol.

What Supplements Can (and Can't) Do

Supplements are a support act, not the main event. Here's the honest version:

  • Collagen: a 2023 meta-analysis of 26 randomized trials (1,721 people) found hydrolyzed collagen improved skin hydration and elasticity compared with placebo. The authors also flagged bias in some of the studies and called for larger trials. Our Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies include collagen alongside biotin and vitamin C, which your body uses to make its own collagen. The collagen dose in a gummy is much smaller than what those studies used, so think of them as everyday support, not a substitute for the routine above.
  • Antioxidants: our Resveratrol 600mg is an antioxidant supplement. Human research on resveratrol and skin is still early, so think of it as general wellness support, not a substitute for SPF.
  • Vitamin D3: many adults don't get enough from sun and food, especially in winter. Our Vitamin D3 2,000 IU is a once-a-day way to cover your baseline. It's there for your overall health, not as a skin treatment.

The AAD's list also includes a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, less sugar and alcohol, and exercise most days. Those do more for your skin than any capsule.

Your Anti-Aging Routine at a Glance

Step Morning Night
1 Gentle cleanser Gentle cleanser
2 Vitamin C Serum Night Shift (2–3 nights a week) or Niacinamide Serum
3 Eye Cream Eye Cream
4 Reset & Renew Peptide Cream Moisturizer
5 Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ —

Not sure which products fit your skin? Take our AI-assisted skin care quiz.

The Bottom Line

Sunscreen every day, vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night and moisturizer twice a day. That's the core. Add one new product at a time, give each one at least 8 weeks, and let supplements support the routine rather than replace it.

Take care of yourself out there,

— Amber
Founder, BBF By Amber 💕

Medical & Health Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Statements about supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement or skincare active, especially if you're pregnant, nursing or taking medication.

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